[Costs of Saudi Arabia's Neom green hydrogen mega-project soar by $3.5 billion]Budgets for the Neom green hydrogen mega-project, which will tap vast green energy capacity, have soared 70% to $8.5 billion, according to a financial update from co-developer Air Products. Inflation, spare parts, land upfront costs and interest on a $1 billion loan all contributed to the $3.5 billion budget increase the company is developing in the deserts of northwestern Saudi Arabia with partner ACWA Power, a Saudi renewable energy development Merchant and Neom. Editor/Xing Wentao
In the first quarter of 2026, the overseas expansion of China's robotics industry accelerated, with a total export value of 11.32 billion yuan for various listed robots, sold to 148 countries and regions worldwide. The export value of newly added tax number category cleaning robots was 7.75 billion yuan, accounting for 68.5% of the total export value of robots and firmly ranking as the main export force. Industrial robots exported 3.16 billion yuan in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 42%. The Chinese robotics industry is transforming from a single product output to a comprehensive output of technology, solutions, and services, gradually becoming a new business card for China's foreign trade.Editor/Gong Ziwei
On May 5, 2026, Hengli Heavy Industries held a naming ceremony for two 82000 deadweight ton bulk carriers, which were built by Greek shipowner Dynacom. The two sides have previously cooperated on multiple VLCC and bulk carriers. On that day, Hengli Heavy Industries also collaborated for the first time with European shipowner Beacon Tankers, signing contracts for 2+2 158000 deadweight ton Suezmax tankers. Since 2026, Hengli Heavy Industry has signed a total of 20 oil tankers of this type, which has become the main construction vessel.Editor/Gong Ziwei